NUTRITION EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Hands-on nutrition education for schools, clinics, & communities across L.A. County.
For more than twenty years, we've built nutrition education around what our communities tell us they need. Our classes, market tours, and video series are grounded in seasonal produce from local farms and taught where people already gather.
Classes and tours are offered in English and Spanish on a sliding fee scale, with optional activities to fit your budget. Our video series is available to schools and youth programs at no cost.
JOIN US
WHAT WE DO
Three ways to bring nutrition education to your community:
Book a hands-on class at your site, bring a group to one of our farmers' markets, or supplement your curriculum with our video series.
01
Nutrition classes
In-person nutrition education and cooking classes for youth ages 7 and up, adults, and youth with their caregivers, offered on a sliding fee scale.
Every class includes an educational component, with optional add-ons that may include any combination of interactive activities, recipe demonstrations with taste-testing, or group-based cooking experiences.
WHAT WE COVER IN OUR CLASSES
Seasonal produce, start to finish
Seasonal, regionally grown fruits and vegetables—their nutritional benefits, tips for buying and preparing them, and group culinary skill-building.
Everyday nutrition
Interactive lessons that build knowledge of food and nutrition and support healthy dietary and lifestyle habits.
Food, self, and community
Participant-led conversations and interactive activities using trauma-informed approaches to build healthy connections to food, self, and community.
02
Farmers’ market tours
Guided, in-person tours at Food Access LA's nine farmers' markets that connect community members and student groups to local farmers — and to where their food comes from.
Staff-led additions that deepen the farm-to-community connection:
Produce sampling: Up to four varieties of seasonal produce.
Recipe demonstration: A seasonal recipe featuring locally grown produce, with a taste test and a take-home recipe card.
Nutrition class: A class on seasonal, locally grown produce varieties, peak season, and their nutrition benefits.
Art-based activities using fruits and vegetables from the market
03
Peak of Season educational video series
Our two four-part video series — LA Urban Farm and CA Farm Tour — bring California growers into the classroom. Students meet urban farmers and California producers, learn how food reaches their neighborhood, and explore career pathways in food and agriculture. Built for middle and high school students and designed to supplement your curriculum.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Students in the U.S. get fewer than 8 hours of nutrition education a year — compared to the 40-50 hours research says it takes to change behavior.
SAMPLE VIDEO
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Designed to supplement what you already teach. Use a single video, one activity, or the full series — adapted to your own objectives and pacing.
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LA Urban Farm and CA Farm Tour, designed to be used together or on their own.
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Our facilitator guide includes suggested standards-aligned learning objectives and activities.
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Provided to accompany every video, so students can prepare recipes featured in videos (or try samples of produce featured in the videos).
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A growing collection of resources you can pull from any time. Coming in 2027.
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A guided tour of one of our farmers' markets with a vendor Q&A, a scavenger hunt, and a hands-on culinary class.
What it costs
Our classes and tours are fee-for-service on a sliding scale, so what you pay reflects what your organization can carry. Prices are per class or per tour and vary by group size, number of sessions, add-on activities, and materials. We confirm final pricing when we scope your program together.
PRICING
NUTRITION CLASSES
Starting at $190
30- and 60-minute sessions. Nutrition education on its own or with a recipe demo or hands-on culinary lesson. Offered at no cost to select communities in 2027.
FARMERS’ MARKET TOURS
Starting at $277
A guided tour with a farmer Q&A, plus optional add-on activities.
VIDEO SERIES
Offered at no cost
Grant-funded, with no fee to partner sites. We can also help your school pursue additional funding for this component.
FARMERS’ MARKET NAVIGATOR
INCREASING FOOD ACCESS
Our Farmers' Market Navigator Program spans six Food Access LA farmers' markets. These events are FREE for all community members, thanks to funding provided by the Food Access Investing in Resilience (FAIR) program, an initiative of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's Nutrition and Physical Activity Program, created through a $9 million investment from the Care First Community Investment (CFCI) Fund.
Support with food assistance programs
Interactive activities
CalFresh food benefits enrollment assistance
Food demonstrations and samplings
Guided market tours
Access to important resources, tools, and guides
Activities include:
WHAT CHANGES WHEN PEOPLE COOK TOGETHER
OUR IMPACT
Between 2023 and 2026, we taught 325 classes at 49 schools, community organizations, and farmers' markets across LA County. Here's what participants took home.
50% of participants told us they learned something new about the food they eat.
Across 325 classes at 49 partner sites — schools, community organizations, and certified farmers' markets — between November 2023 and June 2026.
157,000+ youth and adults reached since 2013
40% reported an intention to eat more fresh produce.
325 classes · 49 partner sites · 1,800 lbs of produce from regional small and mid-sized farms · $5,510 to regional farmers.
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325 classes · 49 partner sites · 1,800 lbs of produce from regional small and mid-sized farms · $5,510 to regional farmers. ·
VOICES FROM OUR COMMUNITY
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"We had an 8th grade student who was struggling with behavior in school… The Assistant Principal asked what helped make that change. He said the cooking class!"
Partner, Middle School · Youth in-person class
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"Usually, I'm not too enthusiastic about fruits & veggies, but I like this!"
Adult participant · In-person class, on the strawberry salsa recipe
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"I learned how to follow a recipe and how to cut food with a knife."
Youth participant · In-person class
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"Cooking with specialty crops changed how I see food. I love the flavors and nutrients, and it's cool to support local farmers."
9th grade student · LA Urban Farm & CA Farm Tour video series
JOIN US
GET INVOLVED
Join a free class at one of our markets, bring a program to your school or clinic or place of business, or get a monthly heads-up on what's coming.
Request a class/tour
Schools, businesses, clinics, and community organizations can book a class series or a market tour.
Bring our videos to your class
Activities that bring California farmers into your classroom or program.
See the class calendar
Dates, times, and locations for every upcoming class and event.
Get monthly reminders
One email a month with what's coming up and where to find us.
WHO MAKES THIS POSSIBLE
OUR FUNDERS
This program is funded through the County of Los Angeles Justice, Care and Opportunities Department Care First Community Investment Care Grant Program. The content and views expressed are those of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and do not necessarily represent the official views of the County of Los Angeles or the Los Angeles County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department.
FOLLOW ALONG
CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL
Follow us for recipes, cooking demos, seasonal produce tips, and the first word on new classes and market events.